Sonnet Echo ExpressCard Pro User Manual

Echo™ ExpressCard® Pro Thunderbolt™ Adapter

Thunderbolt SxS™ Card Reader + ExpressCard Adapter

User’s Guide

Introduction

Congratulations on your purchase! The Echo ExpressCard Pro
Thunderbolt adapter is a professional SxS card reader, and expansion
system for PCIe-based ExpressCard/34 adapter cards. Connection
of the Echo adapter to your computer requires a single Thunderbolt
cable (sold separately).

Mac Compatibility

• Mac® with a Thunderbolt or Thunderbolt 2 port

• Mac with a Thunderbolt 3 port with an Apple Thunderbolt 3
(USB C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter

®

• OS X

• macOS

10.6.8+

®

Sierra compatible

Windows Compatibility

• PC with a Thunderbolt 2 port

• Windows

®

10, 8, 7

SxS Media Compatibility

• Mac and PC compatible

Support Note: This document was up to date at the time

of printing. Please check the Sonnet website for the latest

documentation.

1. Go to www.sonnettech.com/support/

2. Click the Downloads, Manuals, FAQs link.

2. Click the Thunderbolt Product link.

3. Click the Echo ExpressCard Thunderbolt Adapters link, and then
click the Manual link.

5. Click the Echo ExpressCard Thunderbolt Adapters User's Guide
[English] link and then check the Document Version information.
If the version listed is later than this document (revision D), click
the Download Now button for the latest version.

Before Using the Echo Adapter

Prior to using the Echo adapter with your computer, familiarize
yourself with the adapter and any cards you plan to use.

Figure 1 shows the Echo adapter’s ExpressCard/34 (SxS card) slot.
Figure 2 shows the Thunderbolt port.

ExpressCard/34

slot

Thunderbolt port

Connecting the Echo Adapter

• Connect the Echo adapter to your computer or another
Thunderbolt device using only a Thunderbolt cable.

• Connect the Echo adapter directly to your computer, or to another
peripheral device at the end of the Thunderbolt daisy chain
connected to your computer.

Inserting and Removing Cards

• Do not force a card into the slot, as you may damage the card or

the slot connector.

• To insert a card, push it straight into the slot until it stops.

• To remove a card, pull it straight out.

• If you are using an ExpressCard/34 card to which you connect

cables, always connect the cables to the adapter card before
inserting it into the Echo adapter’s slot.

SxS Memory Card Support

SxS memory card support requires the installation of Sony® drivers
on your computer. Go to sonnettech.com/support/kb/kb.php, click
the Thunderbolt link, then click the Echo ExpressCard Thunderbolt
Adapters link, and then click the Driver link to access the latest Sony
drivers.

Compatible ExpressCard/34 Cards

Sonnet currently maintains a list of cards compatible with the Echo
adapter. Check for compatibility information at
www.sonnettech.com/product/echoexpresscard34thunderbolt.html.

Tips

Device Drivers
Many ExpressCard/34 cards require additional drivers and application
software to operate or have full functionality. Software should
be included with the device, or available to download from the
manufacturer’s web site. Check the peripheral’s user’s manual for
information about necessary software.

Operating System (OS) Updates May Break Compatibility
Specific device drivers that work under one OS version may not work
under a later version. This is especially true with later OS versions

Please note that ExpressCard/34 cards not listed on the Sonnet
Website may be also be compatible, but Sonnet makes no
representations regarding the accuracy or reliability of this statement,
nor makes any guarantee of future compatibility.

Unsupported ExpressCard/34 Adapters

An ExpressCard slot supports two bus standards, PCIe and USB.
ExpressCard adapters fall into two basic categories: those that use
the ExpressCard’s PCIe interface, and those that use its USB interface.
Upon inserting the ExpressCard card into the Echo adapter, a
computer automatically senses which interface the adapter is using.
Examples of PCIe-based adapters include the cards listed on the Echo
adapters’ product page (URL listed above). Examples of USB-based
adapters include USB 2.0 adapter cards and many multi-format
memory card readers.

Thunderbolt does not natively support the USB bus standard, so
the Echo adapter only interfaces with PCIe-based ExpressCard/34
adapters. As a result, all USB-based ExpressCard/34 cards are
unsupported.

Warnings

Always follow the basic warnings listed here to avoid the risk of serious
injury or death from electrical shock, short-circuiting, fire, and other
hazards. These warnings include, but are not limited to:

• Do not attempt to disassemble or modify the device. If this device
appears to be malfunctioning, contact your reseller or local
distributor.

• Do not drop the device; dropping or mishandling of the device
card may result in a malfunction leaving the product inoperable.

• Do not insert foreign objects inside the device.

• Do not expose the device to rain, use it near water or containers
that contain liquids which might spill into any openings, or in
damp or wet conditions.

Limited Warranty

For complete warranty information regarding this Sonnet product,
go to www.sonnettech.com support/warranty.html.

Powering Devices Connected to Adapter Cards

Although some peripherals may draw power directly through
adapter cards plugged into the Echo adapter, many devices may draw
more power than the Sonnet device can provide from a Thunderbolt
connection and require an external power source. Remember to use
external power supplies when necessary.

Contacting Customer Service

USA Customers

The Sonnet web site located at www.sonnettech.com has the most
current support information and technical updates.

Before you call Sonnet Customer Service, please check our Website
for the latest updates and online support files, and check this user’s
guide for helpful information. When you call Sonnet Customer
Service, have the following information available so our customer
service staff can better assist you:

• Product name • Date and place of purchase • Computer model

• Adapter card(s) used • OS version

If further assistance is needed, please contact us at:

USA Customers
If further assistance is needed, please contact Sonnet Customer

Service at:
Tel : [phone]

(Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–4 p.m. Pacific Time)

E-mail: support@ sonnettech.com

For Customers Outside the USA

For support on this product, contact your reseller or local distributor.

Visit Our Web Site

For the most current product information and online support files,
visit the Sonnet web site at www.sonnettech.com. Remember to
register your product online at http://registration.sonnettech.com to
be informed of future upgrades and product releases.

©2017 Sonnet Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved. Sonnet, the Sonnet logotype, Simply Fast, the Simply Fast logotype, and Echo
are trademarks of Sonnet Technologies, Inc. Mac, the Mac logo, OS X, and macOS are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the
United States and other countries. Thunderbolt and the Thunderbolt logo are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and/or
other countries. Other product names are trademarks of their respective owners. Product specifications subject to change without
notice. UG-ECHO-E34-E-D-062317